To descend, however, to particulars. Homeric dogs may be divided into four categories. (1) Dogs used in the chace; (2) shepherds’ dogs; (3) watch-dogs and house-dogs; (4) scavenger dogs. In the Iliad, the first two classes occur incidentally only, either by way of illustration or in the course of some episodical narrative, such as that of the Calydonian boar-hunt in the Ninth Book. The plastic circumference of the Shield of Achilles includes a cameo of dog-life; but it is noticeable that the position there assigned to the animal is of a somewhat ignominious character, and is indicated with a perceptible touch of contempt. The scene is depicted in the following lines:— Of straight-horn’d cattle too a herd was grav’n; Of gold and tin the heifers all were wrought; They to the pasture from the cattle-yard, With gentle lowings, by a babbling stream, Where quiv’ring reed-beds rustled, slowly moved. Four golden shepherds walk’d beside the herd, By nine swift dogs attended; then amid The foremost heifers sprang two lions fierce Upon the lordly bull; he, bellowing loud, Was dragg’d along, by dogs and youths pursu’d. The tough bull’s hide they tore, and gorging lapp’d Th’ intestines and dark blood; with vain attempt The herdsmen following closely, to th’ attack Cheer’d their swift dogs; these shunn’d the lions’ jaws, And close around them baying, held aloof.[53] Footnote 53: _Iliad_, xviii. 573-86 (Lord Derby’s translation). For illustrations drawn from the dog’s instinctive fear of the lion, see also v. 476; xvii. 65-67. It can scarcely be maintained that a lover of the species would have selected the incident for typical representation in his great world-picture.